Battery Exercising Device Periodic Charge Discharge Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rechargeable batteries in commercial and residential settings often lose charge over time due to lack of use, and existing chargers require constant power to maintain a float charge, leading to discharge during power outages, resulting in partial discharge when power returns.
Innovation Solution
A battery exercising device that periodically charges and discharges batteries using a control unit with a real-time clock, discharge and charge circuits, and input mechanisms to manage wait periods and voltage levels, ensuring batteries are maintained at optimal levels even during power outages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a float charge is continuously applied to maintain battery charge, then the battery remains charged, but the device requires constant external power and loses charge during power outages
Solution Approach 1:
The battery exercising device applies periodic charge and discharge cycles instead of continuous float charge. The controller periodically charges the battery to a target voltage and then allows it to discharge naturally, creating a cyclical pattern that maintains battery health without requiring constant external power.
Solution Approach 2:
The device uses the battery's own discharge characteristics to determine when charging is needed. By monitoring the battery's natural discharge rate and voltage decay, the system self-regulates the charging schedule without requiring continuous external power intervention or complex temperature sensing logic.
2Reliability
If a float charge is continuously applied, then the battery maintains charge, but the device complexity increases due to internal logic and temperature sensing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the temperature sensing and complex control logic components from the charging system. Instead of using temperature-dependent float charge algorithms, the device uses a simple periodic charging approach that ignores temperature variations, thereby eliminating the need for temperature sensors and complex internal logic.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller uses a time-based periodic charging schedule rather than continuous monitoring and adjustment. This simplifies the control logic to basic timing functions, eliminating the need for complex decision-making algorithms and temperature compensation logic.
3Loss of energy
If the battery is allowed to discharge naturally during power outages, then energy is conserved, but the battery loses voltage and requires partial discharge when power returns
Solution Approach 1:
The device performs preliminary charging actions before power outages occur by maintaining a periodic charging schedule that keeps the battery topped off. This proactive approach ensures the battery is in a charged state before discharge begins, maximizing energy conservation during outages while maintaining readiness.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller monitors battery voltage and charge state to determine when to apply charging current. This feedback mechanism allows the system to respond to power outage conditions by adjusting the charging schedule, ensuring the battery is recharged to optimal levels when power returns without requiring full discharge cycles.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a battery exercising device configured to discharge and charge a rechargeable battery, such as a lead-acid battery, after a set amount of time has elapsed. The battery exercising device is configured to receive electrical power from a power source and periodically transfer this power into a battery connected to the battery exercising device. After a period has elapsed, for example two weeks, the device applies a discharging load to the connected battery to drain the battery to a predetermined discharge level. Thereafter, the device charges the connected battery to a predetermined charge level. Once charged to the predetermined charge level, the device again waits the set period of time and repeats the discharge/recharge sequence.